Record-breaking sea levels were recorded along the east coast through a combination of large waves and a tidal surge, the Environment Agency said.

The Thames barrier, which had faced the biggest tide since it opened in 1982, reopened yesterday afternoon.

Improved flood defences stopped the largest North sea surge since 1953 from causing even more chaos, protecting at least 800,000 homes.

But even with modern protection some areas suffered severe damage. Environment Agency teams are expected to inspect and repair damage to walls, banks and other defences over the coming days.

Devastated residents in Hemsby, Norfolk, watched their cliff-top homes disappear into the sea as the tidal surge hit on Thursday night. Five bungalows fell into the water as the high tide eroded the cliff below, while dozens of residents formed a human chain to help salvage the possessions of those affected. A lifeboat station was also reportedly washed into the sea.

Meanwhile, about 250 seal pups are thought to be missing from a breeding ground in Horsey, Norfolk, following a second tidal surge yesterday afternoon.

Hundreds of people were evacuated in Boston, Lincolnshire, and Clacton-on-Sea in Essex, where many people living near the town's railway station had to leave their homes or shelter on upper floors as water swept through houses on Thursday.

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency said two women, two babies in pushchairs and a dog were rescued after being hit by a large wave at Louisa Bay in Broadstairs, Kent.

Lorry driver Robert Dellow, 54, from Lowestoft in Suffolk, was killed on Thursday when his vehicle overturned in West Lothian, Scotland, and an 83-year-old man who was hit by a falling tree in Retford, Nottinghamshire.

Dr Paul Leinster, chief executive of the Environment Agency, said: "Our thoughts remain with those people who have been affected by flooding. We continue to work with our partners to review the impact of flooding and to ensure that damage to flood walls and banks is repaired as soon as possible.

"Our staff, partners and the emergency services have worked tirelessly to issue warnings, ensure that flood risk management assets were in place and move people to safety. Without their efforts the impacts of this storm could have been far worse.

"Over the last three days we issued an unprecedented number of severe flood warnings. These early warnings gave emergency services, homes and businesses vital time to prepare."